Innovation Today, Healthier Tomorrows

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD affects over 24 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Since there remains no cure for COPD, the focus is on prevention, early diagnosis, and innovative treatment options to help patients manage the disease better. Although guidelines for the diagnosis and management of COPD currently exist, many clinicians may not be familiar with them or may not have implemented these guidelines in their practices yet. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) group has developed recommendations for COPD management. Patients and caregiver education is also a crucial part of a successful COPD treatment plan. Lifestyle changes, keeping up with changing symptoms and disease progression must be communicated effectively to the patient’s physician for successful symptom management. It’s also important for patients to be proactive when exacerbation occurs by keeping track and following up with their doctor.